Introduction

What is DataFlex?
DataFlex is a 4th Generation Object Oriented application development system used for the creation of complex database applications. It is used worldwide in large companies as well as specialized vertical market applications. The DataFlex name is not as well known as other DBMS products by virtue of its focus on the professional programmer market.

What is ODBC?
ODBC (Open DataBase Connectivity) is a specification designed by Microsoft to:

1.Allow Windows applications to access multiple data sources through a single method with no regard for various file formats;
2.Overcome the problem of different databases having different means of providing access to the information contained within them and;
3.Simplify access requirements so that the user no longer requires a high level of skill to access databases.

ODBC also provides the following benefits:

1.SQL (Structured Query Language) is promoted as the method for accessing data through ODBC;
2.It simplifies application development, making access to multiple databases easier;
3.It insulates applications from changes to underlying network and database versions. Modifications to networking services, servers, and databases will not impact current ODBC applications;
4.The Corporation's investment in the existing database is protected;
5.The developer's acquired database programming skills are protected;
6.Making this easily accessed data available to some users can increase productivity and is a basis for more informed decisions.

Microsoft, along with a few other database manufacturers designed the ODBC driver to provide a standard, consistent and simple process of connecting a wide range of databases.

Vendors of ODBC drivers (like this one) follow the specifications for ODBC so that any ODBC compliant application can access the data available through the driver.

ODBC compliant applications include: Microsoft SQL Server, Microsoft Access, Word, Excel, Powerbuilder, Borland Delphi, Crystal Pro Report Writer, Visual Basic and hundreds of others. The placement of this driver can be seen in the illustration below.

The Placement of the Flex/ODBC driver

What is FLEX/ODBC?
FLEX/ODBC is an ODBC driver (DLL) for DataFlex format files. DataFlex stores its data in its own proprietary indexed DBMS file format. This driver allows users of any ODBC compliant front end application to read and write data contained in DataFlex format files similarly to any other ODBC enabled database.

FLEX/ODBC works by accepting SQL commands through the ODBC interface, then converting those calls to navigational commands to the DataFlex DBMS and returning record sets that qualify for the query results. This driver is not a Client/Server product, and navigates the data files directly.

What can I do with FLEX/ODBC?
FLEX/ODBC opens up the DataFlex files created by thousands of custom programs to the new world of database connectivity. In the same way that Windows has created an environment where all applications have a similar look and feel, ODBC drivers make all database formats look the same.

· A user in Microsoft Office can use Excel to pull company accounting or invoice information directly into a spreadsheet and create a chart.
· Microsoft Word can do a customer mail merge directly from DataFlex files.
· Crystal Pro Report writer can create multi-file reports from DataFlex data.
· Microsoft Access or Borland Delphi can be used to merge DataFlex data with other data sources to produce complex reports, or to run mass file updates based on multiple criteria.

Best of all, this driver is transparent and works in exactly the same fashion of ODBC drivers from other vendors. DataFlex developers now can offer this driver to their customers to allow them direct access to data important to them.